Studio 360: Art and Autism

" What can art reveal about autism? Researcher Blythe Corbett guides Kurt Andersen through the misunderstood world of autism and its connections to creativity. Blythe Corbett is an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento, a center dedicated to autism research. She also addresses some of the controversies surrounding autism including the debate on childhood vaccinations and the emerging neurodiversity movement among adults on the disorder spectrum."

To listen to the story, click here.
To browse art therapy resources, click here.

CNN coverage of Autism Awareness Day

As mentioned in a previous post, CNN is providing full-day coverage on the global impact and latest science concerning Autism, all day Wednesday, April 2nd

Here are some coverage highlights:

• Autistic poet gives rare glimpse into mystery illness

• Getting help for a child with autism

• iReport: Fighting for autism awareness in Africa

• Asperger's: My life as an Earthbound alien

• Autism assistance dog opens girl's world

• Vaccine case draws new attention to autism debate

• Pediatricians urge early autism screening

• Jenny McCarthy: The day I heard my son had autism

For more info, visit the CNN website.

Soft will be away...

This blog is taking a break! Soft will be back on 3.29.08 and blogging will resume!

Things to look forward to upon our return:

The launch of the SOFT Social Network (stay tuned)

Investment KITS will be sent out

Weekly art curriculum

Update on the search for the Tyra Show

and much much more!


Enjoy your week and weekend!

Newsday: Stony Brook researchers eye gene's role in autism

"A key gene involved with how brain cells "talk to each other" may be disrupted in some people with autism spectrum disorders, according to medical investigators who discovered the DNA flaw in a group of Long Island children."

For the full text of this article, click here.

GFCF PlayDoh

Another great GFCF recipe from Kimmy Krocker:



Remember, PlayDoh is a great sensory activity, which also helps to develop fine motor skills and muscles.

Can you tell me how to get...

...how to get to Sesame Street?!

Why yes, I can. "Learn Along With Sesame" videos available for download on iTunes right now!

Tackling topics and life lessons such as being ready for school, dealing with Asthma, eating healthy and exercising, and how to communicate -- these videos make great teaching tools for children with special needs.

Full disclosure: I am a child of the 80's, therefore particularly biased toward Sesame Street being greatest teaching show on children's television---ever. But, even if you disagree, its worth a free download at least.

If you need the latest version of itunes, click here.

Soft in SMART MONEY

Soft design director Jessica Elsas was recently interviewed in a piece for SmartMoney's small business website: smSmallBiz.com, on how to market using social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and more.

"Elsas is using networks such as MySpace, YouTube and Google's general networking site, Orkut, to generate invaluable market research. "If I find someone with a child who has a sensory disorder, I send them a survey," she says. "It's my hope that people will connect to me as an individual as well as eventually to my products."

To read the full text of the article by Diana Ransom, including more on Soft, click below:

Starting Up: How to Market on Social-Networking Sites

The Soft Button Down Button

The soft button...down...button! Support our clothing line for kids with sensory sensitivity, associated with Autism, Aspergers, and Sensory Processing Disorder. All purchases fund market research, product development, and more!


Product Information
Express yourself! Pin on our attention-grabbing buttons. It's a great way to wear and share what's on your mind. Add them to a fun banner or fabric for a unique decorating twist. Collect 'em, trade 'em.

• 2.25 inch diameter
• Metal shell
• Mylar/UV protecting cover
• Pinned metal back

CNN coverage of Autism Awareness Day

CNN is planning a comprehensive day of coverage in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

"In a report called, the "Myths of Autism" we hope to dispel any misperceptions about the disorder and the people who live with it. We also want to be very clear that there is still a great deal the scientific community has yet to learn about autism and its related disorders."

Learn more here.

Activities inspired by MoMA Color Chart Exhibition

Mini Lesson 2: Warm and Cool Colors

Objective

The children will learn about warm and cool colors: how they make us feel different things, how we can express different things using different colors and palettes, and how those colors will mean different things to different people and cultures.

Resources

paint chips in a variety of hues, tones, and colors

watercolor paints (12 colors), brushes, and water containers

watercolor paper and scissors

easel and flip chart for presentation and demonstration

Procedure

1. Convene in a circle, with the paint chips displayed on the floor in the middle of the circle.
2. Present the subject by asking children what colors make them think of summer, winter, fall, and spring (It always is good to introduce a topic with something you know will be universally familiar, and at the same time have varied answers).
3. Group colors cooperatively into seasons on the floor.
4. From those groups, you can make a graph together of warm and cool colors on the board or flip chart using tape or tack on the back of the (graph, venn diagram, or any appropriate sorting method relevant to the math skills level). This graph or grouping will serve as a resource for the children to complete the studio lesson.

Studio Project 2: Warm and Cool Colors

Objective

The children will use what they have learned to create a pallette of warm, cool, and warm to cool colors. They will notice the colors relationship to eachother, in terms of hue, lightness, darkness, and so forth. The children will learn to use the watercolor medium, and how water may be used to dilute color.

Children make three palettes:

1. warm color palette
2. cool color palette
3. warm to cool color palette (you may want to use the full size paper for this one)

STORY BREAK!!! EXPLORING FEELINGS!

· From the colors mentioned in the story (or the chart/graph if you want to extend this part of the lesson into a complete emotion adjective exploration), quickly jot down some ideas from the children on the flipchart, about what those colors mean to them, specifically, what they make them FEEL (happy, sad, angry, nervous, excited, uneasy, tired, and so forth)

· “The Great Blueness and Other Predicaments” , is the story of an experimental wizard who brings vivid colors to a grayscale world. The book explores potential feelings created by this color, and is a great segue to a discussion about the way color makes us feel different things, and presents an opportunity to challenge and question these conventions of color, i.e.: red as “angry”, or blue as “sad”.

· Compare the list of feelings adjectives recorded earlier with this books interpretation. Talk about why different colors mean different things to different people (i.e. different cultures, religions, individual people).

For fantastic art and art therapy resources, browse the Soft Sensory Shop.

(copyright Jessica Elsas, 2003-2008)

GFCF Lunch ideas

Gluten free Casein free Lunch ideas from Woggle Bug:

• Daily GFCF Lunchbox formula
• Protein ideas
• Fruit/Vegetables ideas
• Sandwich ideas
• Dip recipes
• Sneaky food:
  (what they don’t know might help them)
• What’s in my gfcf lunch?
• Recipes

Browse cookbooks and gfcf ingredients in the Soft Sensory Shop.

GFCF Daily Recipe: Kimmy Krockers Beef and Veggie Burgers

I love Kimmy Krocker's You Tube Channel. Here is another one of her great GFCF ideas:

Children's books: Aspergers

Annie Books Series: Experience Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child

Written by Michelle Fattig
Pictures by Josh Fattig

"The Annie Books are a must read for any parent, teacher, professional, or child with the challenges of Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorders.

Michelle and Josh have Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. They use their unique insight and experience to fight crime, battle evil, and promote world peace."


Click here to browse these books and reader comments. Great deals through the Soft Sensory Shop/Amazon.

Subsctibe to the Soft Blog

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Activities inspired by MoMA Color Chart Exhibition

I was so inspired the other day by the MoMA Color Chart Exhibition and interactive Color Lab, that I came home, broke out the paints, mixed up a palette, and painted this.




















I wanted to share some of my lesson plans from an Art Unit I created for 1-2nd graders. Part one deals with COLOR and is set up for classroom use. It is your basic exploration lesson, which in my opinion, generates the most creative responses:

Focus of the Project

Understanding Color / Express a feeling with color

Vocabulary:

color expression layering

light emotion splattering

dark primary colors contrast

warm secondary colors

cool mixing

Mini Lesson 1: COLOR, What is it?

Objective

Students will develop an awareness of art, and the most basic element of art: color. Students will begin to connect the idea of color as expressive.

Resources (for full resource information, see Appendix II)

color reproductions of abstract, colorful art

easel for display and demonstration

children’s books about color for reference

books about various artists

tempera paints in red, yellow, blue, black, and white

paint palettes (8-pan size) and tongue depressors (for mixing)

paint brushes, water containers, paper, or cloth towels

paint shirts or smocks

drying rack or clothesline

Procedure

1. Convene in your preferred meeting area. Begin by showing children the prints you’ve collected of abstract art which uses primarily color to express a feeling, idea, place, and so forth. Make sure each child has a print or an image in their hands or in front of them on the floor or table.
2. Discussion questions: (record answers on flipchart for working wall and to use in planning activities pertaining to color and other themes)
1. What can you say about this work? What is it?
2. What does this make you think about? How does it make you feel?
3. What is art?
4. What do you know about art?
5. What do you want to know about art?
6. How would you like to learn about art, what should we do?

Studio Project 1: Painting color, or painting with color?

Objective

The children will get an active introduction to mixing colors, brush strokes (long vs. short), layering colors, splattering, texture, and the general properties of color, paint, and art making materials, before getting a more formal introduction to these concepts.

1. Instructions: PAINT! Think About Color! Materials are provided, and children are free to create what they wish, but are encouraged to think about the color, rather than the subject.
2. Encourage free forms, color experimentation (mixing, layering, splattering).

Color Studio Project 1. Leonie, grade one, 2003

(copyright Jessica Elsas, 2003-2008)

Giving props to our supporters!

These people rock:

SOFT SUPPORTERS!

They believe in our mission, and want to help us achieve our goals. AND THEY ARE! So far, your donations have covered important aspects of our market research, which fuels our very specialized and individually tailored product development. They have covered our web-site design and development costs, printing our adorable look book and marketing materials, fabric samples and sourcing, design consulting and so much more!

Join them. Right now is a crucial time to donate, as we pitch to investors and want all of our ideas to be communicated with charisma (shiny glossy colorful wonderment), zing ("oh my goodness, this idea is the best!), and professional-wow (your business plan is extraordinary!).

Click here to find out about how much to give (starting at $1) and what your donation will fund. Your name will be added to our giving trees.

Click to donate ANY amount via paypal:

Thank you! Help is on the way.

Benefit for Autism Education Hosted by John Stewart

According to HHE:

John Stewart, along with an assortment of Hollywood's funniest comedians, will join together for the second "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education."

This will be the second time the benefit has been held. In October 2006 it raised more than $2.6 billion for schools and education programs for autistic children and adults.

This year's benefit will be April 13 at the Beacon Theater in New York, and the show will air live on Viacom Inc.'s Comedy Central at 8 pm EST.

Stewart will host the event which will feature standup routines and performances by Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman and Amy Poehler.

Also appearing at the benefit will be Jonah Hill, Matthew Broderick, Kevin James, Rosie O'Donnell and Susie Essman.

According to the Associated Press, the benefit was organized in part by Robert Smigel, whose son Daniel is autistic. Smigel's most famous character will also be in attendance, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

This year's broadcast will be streamed online the day after and available for download on iTunes and xBox Live Marketplace for $1.99, with all of the proceeds going to charity.

Subscribe to the Soft YouTube Channel

Subscribe to the Soft YouTube channel.
Here are some of our sample Playlists:

Gluten Free Casein Free (gfcf) 5 Videos videos with recipes and info on the GFCF diet

Play All Share

inspiration 4 Videos Images, clothing, art, music and more that inspires our clothing line

Play All Share

Occupational Therapy 4 Videos Information on OT as a means of treating Sensory Processing Disorder

Play All Share

Sensory Processing Disorder 2 Videos helpful videos on Sensory Processing Disorder treatment and diagnosis

Play All Share

Is Your Child Sensory Sensitive?

I found this helpful article and wanted to share:

Author: Paula Barnard

Many children (and adults) are sensory sensitive. Terms like “tactile defensive” and “auditory sensitive” have been bantered about, and associated to many children as the cause of their distractibility, emotional outbursts, and eating and sleep difficulties.

To read the rest of the article, SOURCE below. These are the topics the author expands upon:

What is this condition and does it really exist?
Thus SMD presents in two general forms

Sensory Sensitivity at home

What can you do?

Dressing

Bathing

Eating

Sleep

Source

more info from the Sensory-Sensitive Child website

and check out this book in the Soft Sensory Shop

GFCF Daily Recipe: Mashed Potatoes - how to video!

Soft Messenger Bag

Support the development of our line of clothing for children with sensory sensitivity, associated with Autism, Aspergers and Sensory Processing Disorder. All proceeds from this chic and practical bag go to our start-up costs!

Product Information
From school, to carrying your laptop, to a hip alternative diaper bag, our versatile, spacious messenger bag is practically all you need to get you through every stage of your life – and look hip doing it.

• One front adjustable clasp closure.
• Main compartment has inside slip pocket.
• Front panel has zipper compartment.
• Adjustable 2" shoulder strap.
• 600 Denier Polyester
• Size: 14 1/2" x 12" x 5"

for Price, shipping, and more info, click here.

Support this Social Enterprise

Here at SOFT, we are a small start-up, with big ideas. In order to get those big ideas off the ground, we are seeking serious funding. We believe that what we are trying to do will help millions of children and families all over the world. We are a social enterprise -- a for profit with a double bottom line that includes not only profit to keep us going, but a larger social mission as well.

While we are actively applying for grants and seeking out serious partner-investors, we are asking for donations to cover the costs of our market research, which fuels our product development. We base every stitch of our designs on the comments, feedback, and stories we have received from people all over the world who struggle with issues of sensory sensitivity and finding clothing that they both can and want to wear. No donation is too small, and our online PayPal system only takes about two minutes. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation, you simply need a bank account. When you have made your donation, your name will be added to our "giving trees", and your good deed will be done for the day, week, or year!

Click the "Donate" button below, or read our SUPPORT page for more info.

If you want ideas for how much to give and what your donation will specifically fund, click here.

If donations are not your speed, here are two other ways you can support our development:

Shop hand-picked learning materials in the SOFT Sensory Shop.
Go green! with the Soft Tote!
(SOFT gets a small commission for every purchase you make)

MoMA: Color Chart

I saw this exhibit today at the Museum of Modern Art, and it blew my mind and totally inspired me. Color is so engaging and powerful. The online exhibition is extremely fun and the images are vivid and sharp. Be sure to view it in the full screen version (or in person:)

Here is the info from the MoMA website:

"Color Chart celebrates a paradox: the lush beauty that results when contemporary artists assign color decisions to chance, readymade source, or arbitrary system. Midway through the twentieth century, long-held convictions regarding the spiritual truth or scientific validity of particular colors gave way to an excitement about color as a mass-produced and standardized commercial product. The Romantic quest for personal expression instead became Andy Warhol's "I want to be a machine;" the artistry of mixing pigments was eclipsed by Frank Stella's "Straight out of the can; it can't get better than that." Color Chart is the first major exhibition devoted to this pivotal transformation, featuring work by some forty artists ranging from Ellsworth Kelly and Gerhard Richter to Sherrie Levine and Damien Hirst.

Color Lab

Color Lab, an interactive space for families created in conjunction with the exhibition Color Chart, is located in the Reading Room on the first floor of the Cullman Education Center. Open for the run of the exhibition, Color Lab offers materials for families to conduct their own exploration of color choice. Children and adults are invited to experiment with giant magnetic boards, play games and activities, or create their own color-choice systems using colored pencils and paper. Free with Museum admission."

To enter the online exhibition, click here.
To view and purchase the exhibition catalog from the Soft Sensory Shop at a discounted price, click here. (original price $55.00, SOFT price $34.65 with free shipping from AMAZON)

Invest in Soft

Soft is investor ready. What that means, is that we are looking for serious partners to fund our start-up and make SOFT a reality. Investment kits will be available soon. Are you ready to make a difference?

Contact us at info@softclothing.net to get on our list of potential investors. Potential investors will receive investment information as it becomes available. Forward this post and the above flyer to anyone you know who may be interested.

Thank you Autism Advocates, Activists, Volunteers, Moms, etc...

Thank you to all of you who have contacted me in the last 24 hours with your personal stories or referrals of extraordinary women who are making a difference in the lives of children with Autism, on a volunteer basis. I have passed your information along to the producers of the Tyra Show.

As mentioned in my previous post, the producers from the Tyra Show are looking to honor women who are devoting their time to helping children with Autism. Again, if you or someone you know fits this description, don't be shy! Contact me at info@softclothing.net, or click the contact link in the blog right-hand column with your story and contact information. I will pass on your information to the producers. You must act soon however, as they are looking for someone in the next day or so.

Thanks again. Love,

Soft

Sensory Processing Disorder Diagnosis

Diagnostic Codes from Kid Foundation
Sensory Integration- Current Concepts & Practical Implications from Neurolearning
Helpful Books on Sensory Processing Disorder

Managing the Costs of Autism, and the importance of the Autism Bill

Here are some collected web resources on managing the costs of Autism to individual families:

about.com
Sydney Herald article

As you may know, a bill that would have forced health insurance companies to provide coverage for autism has been downgraded to a study resolution, upsetting autism advocates and a state lawmaker who championed the measure. Unless a person receives Medicare or another form of government-funded health care, families of autistic people are usually stuck with paying for medical costs out of their own pockets.

To get involved in this important issue, click here to go to the Autism Votes website.

TYRA Show

One of the producers for the Tyra Show contacted me yesterday, looking for women who are making a difference for children with Autism as volunteers, activists, organizers, advocates, educators, innovators, and more. If you volunteer a large amount your time to make a difference in the lives of children with Autism, this would be a great opportunity to help spread awareness about what you are doing, what needs to be done, and how to do it. It is also a chance for you to be recognized for the incredible work that you do, as I know it can often seem like no one really understands how hard it is. If you know someone who fits this description, please contact me at info@softclothing.net within the next 24 hours, so I can put you in touch with the producers. Or click the contact link in the right panel.

All Kids Can Create

call for entries

deadline: Friday, March 14, 2008

You can create, and creating leads to learning! VSA arts and
CVS Caremark All Kids Can invite children and youth to submit artwork showing us your creativity. Explore new activities, challenge your perceptions, discover your inner artist and submit your work of art today!

Click here.

VSA Arts: Renasence Exhibition

VSA arts is an international, nonprofit organization founded in 1974m where people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

VSA Arts announced a groundbreaking new media exhibition, Renascence, an internationally juried exhibition of works by artists with disabilities. Artists were asked to use new media to convey personal experiences.

Renascence will be showcased as part of the World Financial Center program, an innovative series of free performances, exhibitions, installations, and festivals created to showcase emerging as well as established artists. The Courtyard Gallery is located at 220 Vesey St, between West St. and the Hudson River. Gallery hours are from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit http://www.vsarts.org/renascence.

500 Barnes & Noble Stores Nationwide and Autism Speaks to Host Storytime Events Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, announced today that 500 Barnes & Noble stores across the country will partner with Autism Speaks to host special Storytimes in April as part of Autism Awareness Month. The Storytime events will kick off on Wednesday, April 2, with a special “Let’s Be Friends: An Autism Awareness Storytime Event” at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble store in New York City (1972 Broadway at 66^th Street).

On April 2, Barnes & Noble stores across the country will host celebrity Storytimes in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas. Celebrities will read books that encourage compassion and respect for individuals with autism and other disabilities. Some 500 Barnes & Noble stores will continue the reading program during Autism Awareness Month.

For more info, click here.
For the schedule of events, see www.bn.com/autism
For helpful books on Autism, click here to browse the Soft Sensory Shop

Download the Soft Look Book

Download the new Soft Look BOOK. Send it to your friends, send us your comments and suggestions, contribute to the design process by suggesting LOOKS, FABRICS, and DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. Click here to link to the downloadable pdf.

Go Green!

Support our development with this Limited Edition Soft Tote. Use this bag instead of plastic when shopping. All profits support our development.

Donate to SOFT ! (even a dollar makes a difference, or even a cent...yes I am talking to you friends!)

Many of you have contributed to our fund to get this important social enterprise off the ground. Your support is inspiring, and we thank you! We are still, however far from our fundraising goal. If you have not yet contributed (any amount starting at $1), please take a minute to do so now. If you would like more information on other ways to support Soft, including becoming a partner-investor, click here to read our support page.

Soft is global. Help is on the way! Click below to make a donation via PayPal, and we will add your name to our Giving Trees. You will also have made our day, week, and year. To learn what your donation will support, click here.